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Volume 18 Issue 1 January 2008

OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF CROP QUEST AGRONOMIC SERVICES, INC.

NEW MEXICO PECAN GROWERS

ROW SAMPLING: SAVING DOLLARS FOR

Using high tech sampling technology perfected in corn, wheat and soybeans, Crop Quest Agronomist Cort Minor is demonstrating to eastern New Mexico pecan growers how to maximize fertilizer use to increase yields and profitability. Though a minor crop in most states, pecans are a huge agricultural business in New Mexico. In 2007, the state was ranked #1 in total production for a few months before being edged out by Texas. Every year they push production numbers to gain back their #1 ranking. Pecans have been grown commercially in New Mexico for over 70 years and most growers use standard production guidelines that precede the use of grid and zone sampling, and in many cases fertilizer use is far from efficient. With the cost of most fertilizer blends nearly tripling in cost over the past five years, using variable rate application to get the most out of these inputs is critical to the growers bottom line. I started working with some growers here in eastern New Mexico a couple of years ago, and have had to learn along with my growers in some cases, says Crop Quest Agronomist Cort Minor. Most of these growers have done things the same way for a lot of years, but they are always open to new ideas and ways of improving production, he adds. Having worked with grid and zone sampling on row crops, I felt like we could help pecan growers make some better management decisions on fertilizer use. Nathan Woydziak (Crop Quest Precision Agriculture Specialist) came down, and we used some different sampling techniques, Minor says. Woydziak says they ran the gamut on developing a system for optimum sampling to help growers maximize fertilizer use. We started as basic as one sample per tree, he recalls. We used our row crop model for grid sampling on a 2.5 acre grid, and we sampled by rows. It was interesting that the degree of variability in nutrient levels showed the same trends, regardless of the size samples we took, he explains. Minor adds that the variability they found in nutrient levels were very similar to what is typically found in row crops in the area. What we found is exciting that it opens up some real opportuni-

ties for growers to increase yields much the same way grain growers have done in the Midwest, once they got into variable rate application of nutrients, he concludes. New Mexico pecan growers are set up Cort Minor to apply chemicals and fertilizers to their orchards between the tree rows, and it appears that row sampling will work out best for the growers working with Crop Quest. Trees are typically planted on 30-40-foot rows with 20-30 foot spacings between trees depending on future thinning or transplanting plans. A typical 2.5 acre grid sample would cover about 88 trees, which is somewhat more than the number of trees in a pecan row sample. The smaller sample may be a bit more precise than the typical row crop grid samples, and considering the relative high price of pecansto-grain, this technology stands to pay huge dividends to eastern New Mexico pecan growers. The orchard in which the Crop Quest agronomists tested the various grid methods had been on the same fertility program for more than 20 years. Despite this consistency, they found significant variability from row to row. The test showed that we could save this particular grower 20% to 30% on fertilizer costs, if they could use variable rate application, Minor predicts. In the 70-year history of commercial pecan production in New Mexico, acreage has increased to nearly 34,000 acres and over 1.5 million trees. According to USDA statistics, the state produced more than 46 million pounds of pecans in 2007. Minor says the same variable rate application of fertilizer that has helped boost grain production in the U.S. could be used to maximize New Mexico pecan production. A problem with long-term pecan yields is alternate year bearing. By optimizing fertility using precision application technology, the veteran Crop Quest agronomist says
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Crop Quest Perspectives

Row Sampling ... Continued from Page 1

growers may be able to reduce the degree of alternate year bearing. By making pecan yields more uniform, it is expected that overall yields would increase, but more importantly growers, shellers and ultimately consumers would have a more reliable supply from year to year. More consistent production from year to year would obviously make a big cash flow difference for our growers, Minor explains. One of the biggest advantages for variable rate fertilizer application may be in young orchards, Minor contends. When young trees begin bearing pecans, it takes six to eight years to get into significant production. If we can even out fertility, we may be able to bring an orchard into full production earlier, and that would make a big difference for growers, he adds. In addition to maximizing pecan orchard fertility, Minor is working with growers to fine-tune long-standing models for spraying various insect pests, primarily pecan case borer. By monitoring pheromone traps weekly and scouting orchards during peak insect movement, the Crop Quest consultant is able to give growers an edge on timing, and ultimately help them make better use of insecticides. For example, he says, the model calls for spraying pecan case borers usually in late May, but New Mexico had a late spring in 2007. The results for growers using the spray model were too early an application of insecticide and reduced control which caused increased insect damage. Most of the insecticides we are using have a two to three week residual, so if you miss the optimum timing of application by a week or

two, you will lose some of the residual activity, Minor says. Fine-tuning extends into weed management in pecan orchards too, according to Minor. Some of our growers like to run cattle in their orchards to keep grass and weeds under control. When we are watering or get rainfall the cattle cant keep up, and it is too wet for mowing equipment. We are working with several growers to try and spray with low rates of glyphosate early to burn the weeds back enough to prevent competition with the pecan trees, but at the same time not killing the grass and eliminating grazing. Woydziak says the grid sampling technology is just the beginning of applying variable rate fertilizer application. I would like to use some aerial and satellite imagery to see what kind of differences we see. If Nathan Woydziak we map some of these orchards, we can begin to see some real advantages to precision agriculture, he says. When working with a high value crop as pecans, it doesnt take much yield increase to really affect gross income per acre, Minor concludes. Just a 5% increase in yield would equate to over $150 per acre in gross income. Technology can give a producer the edge to get to maximum production and easily pay for itself.

Livestock manure has always been tough to be around. Regardless of how it is handled, it smells. Manure may be a viable fertilizer option though. Until recently, manure has been viewed as waste needing disposal. With the current fertilizer prices, crop producers are taking another look at manure for its nutrient value. Beef feedlot manure is the most readily By: Jim Gleason available product in the High Plains region. Regional Vice President Because it is produced by animals fed a St. John, Kan. ration high in grain and lower in fiber, normal composition of feedlot manure may be 12 to 15 lbs. nitrogen, 9 to 14 lbs. phosphate and 10 to 14 lbs. potassium per ton. It contains secondary elements like sulfur and zinc as well as micro nutrients like magnesium, boron and copper. The nutrient composition of manure varies widely depending on the diet the cattle were fed and the way that the manure is managed. Manure should be tested by a laboratory to confirm a more accurate analysis. Due to its bulky form, manure is not a concentrated source of plant nutrients. It is expensive to haul and spread because of the large volume of material that is being handled. A typical application rate is 20 tons per acre. Lighter application amounts are hard to get spread evenly. Soon after the manure is applied to the land, it needs to be worked into the soil to prevent the loss of nitrogen into the atmosphere.
2 Crop Quest Perspectives

Manure May Be A Viable Fertilizing Option


Despite its downfalls, there are several advantages to using manure as a source of fertilizer. There would be around 280 pounds of P2O5 and 420 pounds of K2O applied per acre with a normal application of stockpiled manure. This will provide enough fertility to grow multiple years of crops. This is appealing to many producers when they compare it to the cost of commercial fertilizers. It will cost about 50% of a comparable amount of commercial fertilizer depending upon distance hauled and the cost of the manure. Not all of these nutrients are available the first season. They will be released overtime as the manure decomposes. Because of this, manure does not pose a threat to the environment with proper management. Besides the nutrient value that manure contains, it also has other properties that will have to be considered and managed. Soluble salts and weed seeds are usually present. If the land has an inherent salt problem, an application of manure may aggravate it even further. This can be monitored with soil testing. Weeds are not quite as much of a concern with the use of glyphosate herbicides applied to glyphosate tolerant crops as it once used to be. Even though manure is not highly concentrated, it is a good source of plant nutrients. It may also improve soil tilth and water holding capacity as well as aid in wind erosion control. Although the use of manure presents some special management issues, it is worth considering as a fertilizer source if it is available in your area. Visit with your Crop Quest agronomist about incorporating a manure program in your fertilizer management plans.
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Fertilizer Prices Rise Again


After the significant increase in fertilizer prices last year, it is reported that prices are up again by 20% and are expected to continue increasing. Anhydrous ammonia prices are already By: Ron OHanlon over $600 per ton in some areas and President I have heard they may even go to Member, National Alliance $650 per ton by corn planting season. of Independent Crop Consultants, CPCC-I However, according to a University of Certified Nebraska newsletter, because of the higher crop prices, fertilizer is still a good production investment for the return you get. Generally, the ratio of fertilizer price to corn price is 7 or 8 to 1. Todays price for nitrogen is still similar to when corn was $2.25 per bushel and nitrogen was 30 cents per lb. Anhydrous ammonia is the base material for producing all other nitrogen fertilizers and natural gas accounts for 80% to 90% of the cost of producing anhydrous. After Hurricane Katrina in the fall of 2005, natural gas prices spiked but have since return to pre-Katrina prices. So why the high cost of fertilizer? According to The Fertilizer Institute, world demand for fertilizer (especially in South America, China and India) has risen 14% in the past few years. The high cost is also attributed to the increase in ethanol production. In addition, the weak dollar makes fertilizer more expensive for U.S. producers. Since 1999, 25 U.S. ammonia production facilities have permanently closed because of the tight cost margins and environmental regulations. Today, the U.S. must compete with other world buyers for the available fertilizer products. Anyone who has studied soil fertility understands the concept of a wooden barrel with various lengths of wooden staves. The nutrient that will be the most limiting to crop production is the one that is represented by the shortest stave. The only way of knowing which nutrients will be limiting to crop production is by soil testing. Soil nutrient analysis not only lets you know what the nutrient values are, but it also gives an indication of the probability of whether crop yield will be affected at the current soil test values or whether applied fertilizers are needed. Generally, soil test reports give some indication for phosphorus and potassium as to whether the fertility level is very low, low, medium, high or very high. This gives an indication of what to expect for the responsiveness of the crop to the applied fertilizer. Nitrogen is treated somewhat different since it leaches with soil moisture. Generally, nitrogen is directly related to yield and the formula for determining the amount to apply is based on so many units of nitrogen required for the yield potential (all based on research results). In our part of the country, nitrate nitrogen is a very important form of nitrogen that is measurable by soil testing. Any carryover nitrogen can be deducted from the total that needs to be applied. Credit can also be given to legume crops, such as alfalfa and soybeans. Another very important source of nitrogen as well as other nutrients can be obtained from manure (see related article in this newsletter) if properly handled, and this can be deducted from the total fertilizer requirements for the crop. With the high cost of fertilizer, farmers are looking for ways to reduce this input to save expenses. (The cost of anhydrous ammonia at $600 per ton, with an application of 220 actual units of nitrogen for a 200 bushel crop without deducting any nitrogen credits will cost about $80.00 per acre. This doesnt include any other fertilizer products that may be needed.) Yes, the wise judicious use of your fertilizer dollar is very important! However, based on research, if sufficient nutrients are not applied where testing shows a need, the yield can be dramatically affected enough to contribute to financial losses. Soil testing is the first step in knowing your fertilizer needs. It is then important to deduct any creditable nutrient sources (nitrogen carryover, high to very high sufficiency ranges, manure, legumes) from your fertilizer needs. As a final step, it is understanding fertilizer placement (starter fertilizer, sidedressing, banding, etc.) in knowing whether additional cuts can be made from your fertilizer needs without dramatically affecting your yield. Understanding soil fertility is an important part of your Crop Quest agronomists training. Visit with them about saving on fertilizer cost while maximizing yields.

Crop Quest Perspectives

Two Recognized for Years Of Service

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Two Crop Quest agronomists were recognized for 30 Years of Agronomic Service. Farrell Allison started his crop consulting career in the summer of 1977 with Ag-Tech, a firm out of Dalhart, Texas. He was then employed by Servi-Tech in Dec. 1977 until Crop Quest was founded in February of 1992. He became Division Manager with Servi-Tech during the early 80s when the Greensburg Division was created. He has remained Division Manager during his 15 year tenure with Crop Quest. He services farmers and acres in Edwards, Kiowa, Ford, Pratt, Comanche and Stafford counties. He indicated that some of his notable achievements have been in the area of best utilization of water, as irrigation was just coming into the area where he has spent his career. He has also assisted his clients in going from conventional tillage to minimal or no-till farming. He has been instrumental in the use of starter fertilizer on low organic matter sandy soils. In addition, he has been a big advocate of grid sampling throughout his territory. To his accomplishment, he was the first to discover the presence of Gray Leaf Spot disease in 1989 on Pioneer 3162 corn hybrid in South Central Kansas. He has been on the cutting edge with the use of fungicides for the control of this disease as he has seen it spread across Kansas and become a major disease problem since that time. Farrell received his Bachelors Degree

from Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas in Agronomy. He is married to Debbie, and they have two married children - Shelley and David. The summer of 1977 was a big career move for Roger Unruh since that is when he started working with Servi-Tech in the Haviland, KS area within Kiowa County. However by December 1977, Servi-Tech was opening a new territory around Mt. Hope and Halstead, KS, and he made the decision to move closer to where he was born (Halstead). In 1983, he was promoted to Division Manager of that area. Roger came to Crop Quest when the company formed in 1992 and has remained the Mt. Hope Division Manager during his time with Crop Quest. He works throughout Harvey, Butler, Sedgwick and Marion counties. He indicated that he has gained satisfaction from making good decisions with his clients in the area of fertility and production agriculture. His goal is to continue to improve and grow the Mt. Hope Division. Some of the challenges facing the area are the loss of water and land due to urbanization and recreation land use. The cost of crop production is also a major concern. Roger received his Bachelors Degree from Fort Hays State University in Hays, KS in 1972 in the area of General Agriculture. He and his wife, Inez, have one daughter, Jennifer.

Crop Quest is an employee-owned company dedicated to providing the highest quality agricultural services for each customer. The quest of our network of professionals is to practice integrity and innovation to ensure our services are economically and environmentally sound.

Mission Statement

Crop Quest Agronomic Services, Inc. Main Office: Phone 620.225.2233 Fax 620.225.3199 Internet: www.cropquest.com cqoffice@cropquest.com

Employee-Owned & Customer Driven

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Crop Quest Board of Directors


President: Director: Director: Director: Director: Director: Ron OHanlon Jim Gleason Dwight Koops Cort Minor Chris McInteer Rob Benyshek

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